Sunday, 27 March 2016

Something I'm fascinated by is the concept of the blue plaque - and this may only have a weeny bit to do with the fact that my hero Lord Byron has the very first blue plaque (Holles Street, on a John Lewis building!). London is covered in them, and despite the fact they depressingly add to the price of properties, I get rather excited when I see any. Here's a selection of some I've dug up recently.

Okay, so our first one isn't actually literary, but it is for a wonderful woman: Dame Millicent Fawcett. This can be found at 2 Gower Street, WC1E, where she lived and died.

Can you read that? Mary Shelley's plaque at 24 Chester Square, SW1, is considerably higher up the building that I would have liked it to be, but it's just about legible! She lived here from 1846 to 1851.

Just around the corner at 2 Chester Square is Matthew Arnold.

Having recently found a passion for Vita Sackville-West, this one was quite a treat. She live with her husband at 182 Ebury Street, Belgravia, SW1. And yes, it's a brown plaque!

This last one is undoubtedly my favourite - not least of all because I hadn't expected to find two plaques there! Both George Bernard Shaw and Virginia Woolf lived at 29 Fitzroy Square, Fitzrovia, W1T, albeit almost two decades apart.

Here's a closer look at Virginia Woolf's:

Have you seen any blue plaques recently? Although they're situated all over the country, I find that London is a particular hotspot for them - which goes without saying given the wonderful names that have resided there over the centuries! - and it's always a treat to go a-plaque hunting! It's such a wonderful way to pass an afternoon.

After being asked to do some trailer reaction videos, I thought the release of the upcoming Alice Through the Looking Glass (2016) film would be a perfect place to start. As a huge fan (worshipper, admirer, etc) of both HBC and Tim Burton alike, it was quite a struggle to refrain from watching any of the clips...

But I managed...

And here's the result...

That was a lot of fun; thanks to everybody who recommended I give it a go! Look out for my next one, which I'm currently editing... Can you guess what it is?

Sunday, 14 February 2016

I've had this little beauty for almost two years. However, until recently, the poor thing has remained stuffed inside his packaging. Having taken him down from the shelf, I thought now would be the perfect time to share him with you.

This video at the end of this post contains a more thorough look at the Hot Toys Sweeney Todd collectible figure, but I've included some photos below of him in action. Yes, I am satisfied with just how much he looks like Johnny Depp, and, yes, he is tremendous fun to play with!*

Sweeney Todd is one of my two favourite films, so this really is something a little bit exciting. I only wish there was a Mrs Lovett too; I dare say I'd never be able to stop touching her! If you're a fan of the Tim Burton firm, or the musical in general (or you just want to fondle a 1/6th scale Johnny Depp), then this is definitely something worth investing in. He's poseable, lots of fun, and - I am sure you will agree - absolutely beautiful!

Amy x

*Being a grown up goes out of the window when it comes to movie merchandise. Especially Burton movie merchandise...

Monday, 1 February 2016

Yes! The time has finally arrived! Hallow Be Thy Name is now published!

You can find out more about the novel in the video below. I'll also leave the blurb and some links at the bottom too. Thank you to everybody who has shown interest in Hallow; I can't wait to write the rest of the series and see where Lucy's story takes us! But for now, I shall leave you with this:

BLURB

It has been two years since Lucy Hallow first saw the spirit of her deceased nephew, and, having come to terms with her role as Spiritual Messenger, it is time for her to step up to the next level. Assisted by her spirit guide Naiche, the son of a Chiricahua Apache Chief, and clairvoyant Audrey Maurice, she must open up her gift to help others. During the spiritual evenings held at Hallow House, Lucy's coffee shop in Hampstead, she meets Jennifer Healy, a young woman who has recently lost her fiancé in a road accident.

When Lucy is introduced to a Victorian spirit named Serafina DuPont, she realises that there is a strong connection between the two lives. To discover this link, however, she must closely observe the stories that unfold around her, as not everybody is as innocent as they seem.

Tales from 1890 and the present day become one in this journey of mysticism, betrayal, and the dead.

HALLOW BE THY NAME contains knowledge and insight from various historical figures. All spiritual input is provided by an authentic Spiritual Messenger.

Sunday, 24 January 2016

To mark Byron's 228th birthday on Friday (22nd January 2016), a sculpture by David Gross was unveiled outside Byron Place in Seaham (more here). Naturally, I had to go and check out this sculpture for myself...

I think the easiest thing for me to say here is this: it's interesting.

Well, at the very least, Iam fascinating by the fact that the artist has chosen to sculpt them facing away from each other. This is such an apt representation of their brief marriage; I applaud it entirely for that.

Check out the pictures below to see what you think of it for yourself!